ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Only because it was the Yankees against the Rays, the outcome of Friday night’s game at Tropicana Field was surprising.
However, strip down the 2-1 loss in front of 27,252 and it wasn’t so difficult to understand.
Six Rays relievers, beginning with Ryne Stanek, who worked the first inning, handcuffed a Yankees lineup that started the evening leading the majors in home runs and OPS.
CC Sabathia’s pitching was effective, but a fielding blunder helped the Rays score their second run in the fifth.